# Live Cattle Futures Trade Mixed as Feeder Cattle Prices Decline

- URL: https://stocks.freetheai.org/news/live-cattle-futures-trade-mixed-as-feeder-cattle-prices-decline-27573b
- Published: 2026-10-12T22:17:42Z
- Category: commodities; sentiment: mixed; impact: low
- Symbols: [CME:LE1!](https://stocks.freetheai.org/symbols/CME-LE1!)
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Live cattle futures closed with mixed results on Monday. Nearby contract months dipped between 22 and 40 cents, while deferred contracts registered modest gains of 10 to 35 points. Feeder cattle futures moved consistently lower across traded months, falling 30 to 85 cents.

Physical cash cattle trading remained quiet at the start of the week following the previous week's sales of $222 to $223 per hundredweight live in the North and $226 in the South. Meanwhile, wholesale boxed beef values showed divergent trends, with Choice cutout prices rising $2.21 to $375.56 and Select boxes easing 17 cents to $354.77. Daily slaughter estimates reached 106,000 head, representing a modest increase from the prior week but trailing last year's performance.

Market participants continue to monitor cash trade negotiations across northern and southern feedlot areas for fresh directional cues. In regional cash auction activity, feeder steer and calf demand remained firm, with lighter steers and calves fetching notable price premiums at Oklahoma City sales.

## Key points

- Front-month live cattle futures fell 22 to 40 cents, while deferred months gained 10 to 35 points on Monday.
- Feeder cattle futures declined 30 to 85 cents across contracts, even as cash feeder index prices rose.
- Wholesale Choice boxed beef jumped $2.21 to $375.56, while Select beef edged down 17 cents to $354.77.
- Daily cattle slaughter was estimated at 106,000 head, up 4,000 from the prior week but down 2,419 from last year.

## Questions and answers

### How did live cattle futures perform on Monday?

Nearby live cattle futures closed down 22 to 40 cents, while back-month contracts settled 10 to 35 points higher.

### What were the latest wholesale boxed beef prices?

Choice boxed beef prices gained $2.21 to reach $375.56, while Select boxes dropped 17 cents to $354.77.

### How many cattle were slaughtered on Monday?

Estimated federal cattle slaughter reached 106,000 head on Monday, up 4,000 head from the previous week but 2,419 head below the prior year.